Although often ignored by the mainstream media, the backbone of the Democratic Party is African-American women. This year, the election, like the previous two presidential elections, might be swayed by the number of Black women who turn out in key states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida.

I was recently invited by the Rev. Al Sharpton to be on a panel during his National Action Network convention. Sharpton was gracious in his introduction, calling me an outstanding Republican, and although I appreciated the invitation, his kinds words and the opportunity to dialogue with other African-Americans about politics, policy and the Black vote...

A day after the Supreme Court sent affirmative action to a lower court to determine its fate, they dropped the other shoe on Tuesday, killing the vital core of the Voting Rights Act. While the vote on voting procedures, 5-4, was not as decisive as the 7-1 vote on Monday on affirmative action, it was no less disappointing, particularly for civil rights activists.